Useful tips before travelling to Madagascar

TRANSPORT

Airlines :

Air Madagascar (MD) is the national airline of Madagascar. Other airlines flying in Madagascar include: Air Austral/Air Mauritius, Air France, British Airways, Corsair, and Interair. Air travel is a good way to get around this vast country, especially if time is short.

Almost anywhere in Madagascar can be reached by air, apart from a few locations in the central highlands. Air Madagascar offers some good deals and extensive coverage, flying to over 50 cities and towns throughout the country.

Airport :

The main airport is Antananarivo Airport (TNR), which is located 17km (11 miles) from the city. Facilities located at the airport include restaurants, bureaux de change and car hire offices.

Other airports around the country like Arivonimamo (located near Mahajanga), Nosy Bé and Toamasina.

Driving:

Traffic drives on the right. Car hire is not very common; driving can be quite a stressful experience. If you do choose to drive yourself, a national driving licence is normally sufficient, but make sure to make detailed. The best option is to hire a car and a driver. The road network in Madagascar is quite poor. Tarred roads are normally only used to link major towns in the most populated areas, with the remainder still dirt roads. These are often impassable in the rainy season, which runs from November to March.

FORMALITIES

Passport:

You will need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your trip.

Visa:

Only Malagasy citizens can travel to Madagascar without a visa. All other nationalities are required to have a visa upon entering Madagascar. It is about 50 € for a three months tourist visa. Payable in €, $, £ and Ariary.

Customs:

Most of the local products of Malagasy flora or fauna (including dried flowers) require export permits.

Tax:

A tax and tourist vignette is charged on the price of the rooms. There is no departure tax.

HEALTH

Vaccination:

Foreign tourists should be in possession of Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate conforming to International Health Regulations, if they are originating or transiting through Yellow Fever endemic countries (Africa and South America).

Medication:

It is strongly recommended to take anti malaria tablets before, during and after the trip (please see your doctor for advice) you must have medication and sticking plaster. Don't forget cream for mosquito and sun cream. It is advised to drink bottled water, to eat cooked or boiled food and to wash your hands before the meals.

CLIMATE

Climate:

Rainfall from the north-west of the island is much higher from December to April during the monsoon. The climate is very pleasant with temperatures ranging from 15-37°C.In the west region, from north-east to south-east, the climate is very humid and the coast is exposed to the trade winds and intense tropical cyclone every year , between January and March.The greater western of Madagascar which is characterized by savanna is much drier with temperatures ranging from 10 to 37oC.

The central highlands are both drier and cooler, while the west coast is drier still, with high aridity in the southwest and southern part of the island where a semi-desert climate prevails. Annual cyclones cause regular damage to infrastructure and local economies as well as loss of life.

EXPENSES

Currency:

The currency unit is the Ariary, denoted by the symbol Ar. Before the departure, take traveler’s cheque or bank note with you. Banks are open between 8am and 3pm from Monday to Friday.

Exchange rates:

Foreign currency can be exchanged at local banks and exchange offices.

Credit cards:

International Credit cards can be used only in Major hotels and in banks in major cities. Visa is the most widely accepted and American Express is also taken in some outlets. Mastercard is rarely accepted. In general we recommend clients to be prepared to live without a Credit Card once outside Antananarivo.

CULTURE

Culture:

Madagascar's population is predominantly of mixed Asian and African origin. They officially features 18 ethnic groups, not to mention some subgroups. Among the population, Madagascar has several communities, including Indo-Pakistani, Chinese, Comorians and Europeans, with a strong French community (about 25,000).

Language:

The Malagasy language is of Malayo-Polynesian origin and is generally spoken throughout the island, with significant regional variations. French is spoken among the educated population of this former French colony. English is becoming more widely spoken, and in 2003 the government began a pilot project of introducing the teaching of English into the primary grades of 44 schools, with hopes of taking the project nationwide. In 2010, however, the de facto government introduced measures that would limit the use and teaching of English.

Food:

Malagasy cuisine varies depending on the region, either at the hotel or in a guesthouse. The two national dishes: romazava and ravitoto both prepared with meat are systematically served with rice.

Water:

It is advised to drink water in bottle.

GOOD TO KNOW

Local Time:

+1 hour

Public Holidays:

1 January - New year's day, 8th March - National Women's Day, March 29th- The uprising against French rule - Easter -1 May - Labour Day; 26th June - Independence Day, 15th August - Assumption Day,1st November - All Soul's Day, 25th December - Christmas Day ; 31st December - New Year's Eve. Madagascar's diversity is reflected in its plentiful colourful festivals. Alahmady Be opens the traditional Malagasy year, followed by the rice harvest (May) and Donia, a celebration of traditional music on Nosy Be resort island (May/June). The 'turning of the bones' (July-September) and 'cleansing of the relics' (September-November) ceremonies fill out the calendar. Alongside the old traditions are the Catholic spiritual calendar - Easter, Assumption (August 15th), All Saints Day (November 1st) and of course, Christmas - and the calendar of political milestones: the 1947 uprising against French rule (March 29th), Independence Day (June 26th), with the Republic's Anniversary on New Year's Eve bringing in the New Year.

Security:

leave all your valuable jewelleries home or they must be kept in the hotel’s safe. Prudence is recommended in urban zones. Beware of entry scams: do not be scammed by anyone who insists that you need their help to get a visa. Only the Embassy is able to provide this service.

Phone:

The country code to call Madagascar from overseas is 261, followed by the area code (Antananarivo is 20 22 and Antsirabe 20 44). Cellular phone codes begin with either 33 or 32. Phone calls can be made at the telecom offices. Phone cards are sold in different denominations, and range from €1.50 - €30.

Internet:

Internet cafes are readily available in the major centres, and they offer quite reasonable rates.